Australian Bustard
Male bird, Mt Garnet, June 2021.
The sexes are similar but the female does not have that breast band which the male unfolds in an amazing display during courtship. Google for an image as I am yet to get a photo.
Mt Garnet, June 2023.
They are omnivores and feed on insects, seeds, fruit, mice and grasshoppers. Due to loss of habitat they are an uncommon bird. They are extinct from settled areas.
Mt Garnet, January 2021. Wet in the rain.
When you see them they look like a cross between an Emu and Bush Stone Curlew. They are quite a tall bird at .8 to 1.2 metres.
Mt Garnet, June 2023.
They have a wingspan of about 2 metres. They are mostly terrestrial and usually stalk or run away when alarmed flying as a last resort.
Mt Garnet, June 2023.
Take off is with heavy beats of the wings and once airborne they are strong fliers with great stamina.
Female or juvenile, Mt Garnet, June 2023.
Females and juveniles have a brown crown. The flightless juveniles rely on the camouflage of their plumage to evade detection.
They live in wooded grassy plains, dry woodlands, mulga, spinifex and saltbush scrub. I usually see them in or around farm land.
Mt Garnet, June 2021.
They can be found all over Australia and are usually alone or in pairs but as I mentioned at the start they are uncommon. They are an extremely shy bird and very hard to get close to.
Male bird, Mt Garnet, June 2021.
Like Bush Curlew they like to freeze when disturbed. The Bustard however usually walks away slowly with his head held high once he has had enough. This is a male above with the black head crown.
Mt Garnet, January 2021.
Their eyes are yellow but in most light I find they look quite brown. On this rainy day the yellow was clearly visible.